Zolani Tete's Estranged Wife Breaks Silence on Mdantsane Tavern Shooting

• Thulisa Tete publicly accused police of neglecting the investigation into a shooting that left her wounded in July 2025
• Her lover Uzuzole Goqwana, who was paralysed in the same attack, is the alleged mastermind behind Zolani Tete's killing in August 2026
• The tavern shooting has since emerged as a key element in Goqwana's bail application at the Mdantsane Magistrate's Court

More than a year after she was shot outside a tavern in Mdantsane, Thulisa Tete has spoken publicly for the first time about the attack and her frustration with how authorities have handled the case.

Thulisa and her lover, Uzuzole Goqwana, were shot outside Shampiz Tavern on 13 July 2025. Thulisa survived and recovered, but Goqwana sustained injuries that left him permanently paralysed from the waist down. No arrests have been made in connection with that incident, and a case of two counts of attempted murder remains open at Vulindlela police station.

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Thulisa accuses police of inaction

According to a report on News24, Thulisa said in social media posts that she had remained silent while placing her trust in the justice system, but that she was still without answers. She described how the shooting had altered her sense of safety and strained her relationships with Goqwana and their respective families.

The case has taken on renewed significance following the murder of her estranged husband, former boxing champion Zolani Tete, who was shot dead at his Mdantsane home on 21 August 2026. His girlfriend, Mbali Mngadi, was also wounded in that attack. Zolani and Thulisa had married in 2018, separated the following year, but never formally divorced.

As seen in the Facebook post below.

Tavern shooting central to bail hearing

Goqwana, now identified by authorities as the alleged mastermind behind Zolani Tete's killing, is currently before the Mdantsane Magistrate's Court. In an affidavit submitted as part of his bail application, Goqwana alleged that Zolani Tete had orchestrated the 2025 tavern shooting targeting him and Thulisa, and further claimed the investigating officer never questioned Tete about it.

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State prosecutor Thango Pangalele contested this account in court, arguing that Zolani Tete's killing was carried out based on a mistaken belief that he had been responsible for the tavern attack. Police have confirmed the Vulindlela station matter is still under active investigation.

Zolani Tete's father breaks silence

Briefly News previously reported that two-time world boxing champion Zolani Tete was shot dead outside his Mdantsane home on Friday night

Tete's father said his son was known for boxing and music and had done nothing to put his life in danger

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News